Some stories stay with you long after the moment they’re shared, not because they’re easy to hear but because they carry a truth we can’t unknow once we’ve heard it. This Christmas Eve, we share one of those stories.
Recently, during a Fox17 interview, Dr. Diana Bitner of true. Women’s Health relayed a conversation she recently had with a viewer named Bob Davidson. He had a simple request: “Tell my story so others don’t suffer like I did.”
Bob is living with metastatic breast cancer, a diagnosis he never imagined could apply to him. Like many men, breast cancer wasn’t something he was taught to look for or worry about. By the time he recognized something was wrong, the cancer had already spread to his chest and ribs.
But Bob didn’t come forward to talk about what he lost. He came forward to help others not lose what he has.
This is our tribute to him. And a reminder to every man, woman, family member, and clinician: breast cancer is not only a women’s disease, and awareness saves lives.
Men can get breast cancer — and too many don’t know that
Breast cancer in men is rare–about 1 in 726 men will develop it in their lifetime, compared to 1 in 9 women–but “rare” doesn’t mean impossible. And when something feels impossible, we tend not to look for it.
That lack of awareness means male breast cancer is often diagnosed later, usually between ages 60–70, and often at a more advanced stage. Later diagnosis means fewer treatment options, and, too often, life-limiting outcomes.
Bob felt a lump in the side of his chest–something unfamiliar, something he couldn’t explain away. He trusted his instincts and saw his doctor, and even with swift care, the cancer had already spread.
His question, the one that sits heavy, is simple: “What if I had known sooner? Would I have been looking?”
We honor Bob by making sure more people do know.
What increases a man’s risk?
Some risk factors for male breast cancer are the same as those for women: genetics, environment, and chance. Others are unique in how strongly they influence outcomes in men.
Risk factors include:
- Genetic mutations, especially BRCA1 and BRCA2
- Radiation to the chest earlier in life (including lymphoma treatment)
- Heavy alcohol use
- Family history of breast cancer, in men or women
- Being a non-Hispanic Black male, due to a higher incidence and poorer outcomes
Bob’s message isn’t only to men, it’s to families. Because knowing your family history can change your future. This holiday season, as families gather, ask the questions we sometimes avoid:
- Did anyone in our family have breast cancer?
- Did anyone have ovarian, pancreatic, or prostate cancer?
- Has anyone ever had genetic testing?
These conversations may feel uncomfortable, but they are love in action.
How to Honor Bob: Check, Ask, Act
Bob’s strength is in what he’s asking of us: Do not ignore a change. Do not wait. Do not assume breast cancer can’t happen to men.
Everyone–every body–should do a self-breast exam:
- Once a month
- In the shower or lying down
- With attention, not fear
You’re looking for:
- A lump or thickening in the breast or underarm
- A change in shape or size
- Nipple discharge or inversion
- Skin changes — dimpling, puckering, redness
You don’t need to know what it is. You only need to know it’s different. As Dr. Bitner often says, “Your job is to notice a change.
My job is to tell you what it means.”
If something feels new or unfamiliar, call your doctor right away. Not later. Not someday. Now.
Bob’s Legacy: Awareness, Action, and Compassion
When Bob told Dr. Bitner his story, she described the moment as a sacred space–a reminder of why we talk openly about hard things, why we educate, why we listen when someone tells us they’re worried.
He did not want a spotlight or sympathy–only awareness. He saw a chance to protect others.
So we honor him with what he asked for:
- Tell this story.
- Say men can get breast cancer.
- Encourage early detection for everyone.
- Ask about family history especially when you’re together.
- Never assume something new is nothing.
To Bob, to his wife Linda, and to every family carrying a similar weight, thank you for your honesty, your strength, and your hope.
Your story will save lives.
Bob’s Message is for Everyone:
Everyone needs to check their breasts–men and women.
If you feel a change, don’t wait.
Awareness isn’t fear, it’s power.